The Labor enquirer., 1887-02-26
AVOID GALLUP

a Strike as ths Ainss-Tsilsrs, Kesy
Aw ~ Irsn The
Plass.
Editor Labor Enquirer.
GALLUP, N. NJ. Feb. 19-Pls Use allow
me space In your valuable paper in
which to present to your readers true
statement Of the case Of the miners Of
this place.
Three months ago no organization ol
any kind existed at any Of the three
coal mines working. although they have
been running many years.
Miners were entirely at the mercy OF
the operators. II being no uncommon
thing for the officials Of the Gallup Coal
company TO run a man of with shot
gun.
When Q man started he had to work
nearly three months before receiving
anv wages. and then being paid in bank
checks. Some men we're favored with
as much work ss thev could do while
others barely received enough to pay
their board. A married man keeping
boarders was compelled to trade in the
companv's store. It is but justice to the
other companies TO say that such things
we're principally done bv the Gallup
Coal company.
A few months ago the Maxwell con-
pany opened = new mine and iatro-
duced the system Of screening the coal
and weighing 1t on track scales.
Itis needlesstp explain TO miners how
this system oppresses them. Itis as one
Of the men said. the screen is irst an
inch and half between the bars but
soon becomes like q ladder. 'l
MaxwelPs men refused to work under
the conditions and demanded small
scales to weigh the coal on top aud q
check weighman and pit committee.
Mr.. Maxwell, after considerable remon-
STRANGE, said that II the miners could
obtain these concessions at the other
mines he would grant the same to his
men.
Accordingly the men cent deputations
to the Bell mine aud the Gallup Coal
company's mine. The result was mass
meeting at which 1t was resolved to
make general demand for the above
mentioned concession. The supsrn-
tendent Of Cells mine conceded every
thing readily as he had always treated
the men fairly and the change would not
affect him.
II will be necessary t, say In this con-
pection that the meeting had to make
no change In the price per ton nor in
the amount cf coal given to the
ton, 1. being generally believed that the
miners we're giving $500 pounds to the
ton. II seems the men made . mistake
for the Gallup company claimed to be
getting only 1900 pounds to the ton.
Such being the case it followed that
On the Hrst trial the men loskpn the
weight given by check weishmen. though
we all believe that II honest weight was
given the men could give $500 pounds
to the ton and gain on the process.
A certain party Of the miners Of that
nine then made request to the opera.
tor to put Of the check weishmsn and 60
back to the old system. The majority,
however. decide 70 work on even II
they did lose until the holding Of an
other mas meeting. which intention
was frustrated BY the rscresnts refusing
10 load coal.
So at noon. day and half after the
appointment Of check wsishmsn. Super.
intendent Douglass closed the mine
down, saying he had had enough ol
check weigbmen and pit committees
and that all who were dissatisfied
should come to him privately and state
their grievances. de also issued ar
ironclad to the following purport which
he required the men 70 sign. We could
not get copy Of 1t. but this is the senst
however: %
l. That the men declare that they ds
not want check weighmsn. NJ
2. That they want no pit committee
8. That they will have no dealing
with the men at Bells and Maxwelli
mines, AMI
4 That they have thing to d.
whatever with any man belonging to
labor organisation. That any infrac
ton Of the above should bs followed b.
discharge.
| A large number signed L.; som,
through fear Of losing their work. and
others through Misrepresentation.
Another mas meeting was called .
which Il Wa decided 70 resist TO th,
last such Q disgrsosfdl imposition. th,
; majority Of thoss who had signed IL TAX
Ina their nance Oh.
So the matter ssanda Ts o mines o.
strike, and the other working smooth,
along. We hope minees will keep AWAY
and give = . chance . ssttls The disput'
oussolvsa Rurznz.